How can a headache at the best of relieve?

Headache is an extremely common complaint image that can have different causes. Often a chronic complaint image developed from first short-term pain, and the use of headache tablets can play a role. For the relief of pain should be used, therefore, measures the risk of chronification of the headache.

“What many do not know: The too frequent use of painkillers can trigger a separate headache, the chronic,” reported the German society for Clinical neurophysiology and Functional imaging (DGKN) in a recent communication. There is a lack of pain was rate relief as a risk factor for chronic headache. The right thing to do for the headaches is therefore.

2.5 million Germans have chronic headaches

According to the DGKN nearly 2.5 million Germans suffer from chronic headaches. This means that they have complaints to an average of every second day. It is “a headache occurring at least 15 days a month over a minimum of three months”, the private lecturer Dr. med. Charly Gaul from the migraine and headache clinic Königstein in Taunus in the press release of the DGKN. The pressure for the Affected – about work disability and reduced social participation in the life – there is a substantial.

Over-the-counter drugs are the first choice

Often the data in headaches in over-the-counter medication you are taking without medical consultation. In this case, the risk will be underestimated unpleasant side effects, however, often. Many will not be aware that regular use of painkillers can trigger independent headaches that can become chronic, according to the DGKN.

Effectiveness needs to be checked

Also, it must be checked according to the professional society in doubt the effectiveness of the medication by a physician, because of insufficient pain relief the picture is also a risk factor for chronic headache. “Often not tested adequately, whether prescribed or recommended acute medication is not effective at all,” said Dr. Gaul. Concerned, the assessment of their acute medication as well effectively, be exposed to a lower chronicity risk than those who viewed their acute medication as insufficiently effective.

Possible risk factors for chronic headache

“To be taken 15 or more days of simple analgesics or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) such as acetyl salicysäure (Aspirin), Ibuprofen or Diclofenac, or more than ten days, opioids, triptans, Ergotamine, or pain relievers mixing drugs increases the risk for head pain chronicity,” explained Dr. Gaul. The most frequently of a chronic people with psychiatric were also affected diseases, Obesity and lack of exercise. Furthermore, the image pain the intake of other drugs such as sedatives and the Presence of other chronic pain disorders (e.g. chronic low back) is also a risk factor. Not least, women suffer more often from chronic headaches than men.

Preventive measures are appropriate

In the case of headaches, which occur not just occasionally, but regularly, or even frequently, advises Dr. Gaul to preventive measures. Demonstrably effective measures in cognitive-behavioral therapies, regular endurance sports as well as relaxation techniques such as progressive muscle relaxation according to Jacobson, Yoga, and Meditation. A number of drugs are approved for the preventive taking.

Drug Prevention

According to Dr. Gaul this applies, for example, for beta-blockers, tricyclic antidepressants, and anticonvulsants (valproate, flunarizine and topiramate) for migraine prevention. Also, botulinum toxin will be used for the treatment of chronic migraine, and the so-called Off-Label use (without specific authorisation) of Candesartan for migraine prophylaxis picture is also an Option. Furthermore, in 2018, the anti-body since November Erenumab for the prophylaxis of migraine in adults with four or more migraine days per month.

The best effect in the treatment of headache show a combination of behavior modification, classical relaxation measures and preventive medication, said Dr. Gaul. What are the concrete possibilities for the treatment and prevention of chronic headache and migraine attacks are also the subject will insist on a press conference of the DGKN on Thursday, the 28. March in Freiburg. (fp)